Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Paris, 26 April—The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today called on the authorities of the Maldives to investigate the killing of prominent blogger and social media activist, Yameen Rasheed on 23 April.

“I condemn the murder of Yameen Rasheed,” said the Director-General. “Journalists need to be able to work without fear and contribute to informed democratic debate. I call on the Maldivian authorities to ensure that the rule of law is respected and that those responsible for this killing are brought to justice.”

Rasheed maintained a blog, The Daily Panic, on political and social issues. He is reported to have received numerous death threats over the past year. Rasheed died from injuries sustained when he was attacked inside his apartment building in the capital, Malé.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.” These statements are posted on a dedicated webpage, UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.

NEW DELHI, 26 April 2017 – UNICEF procured 2.5 billion doses of vaccines to children in nearly 100 countries in 2016, reaching almost half of the world’s children under the age of five. The figures, released during World Immunization Week, make UNICEF the largest buyer of vaccines for children in the world.

Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the three remaining polio-endemic countries, each received more doses of vaccines than any other country, with almost 450 million doses of vaccines procured to children in Nigeria, 395 million in Pakistan and over 150 million in Afghanistan. UNICEF is the lead procurement agency for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

In India, the under-five mortality stands at 1.11 million deaths per year[1] . Pneumonia accounted for 13 per cent of total under five deaths and diarrhea contributed to approximately 10 per cent of the under five deaths.

Globally, access to immunization has led to a dramatic decrease in deaths of children under five years, from vaccine-preventable diseases. Between 2000 and 2015, globally under five deaths due to measles declined by 85 per cent and those due to neonatal tetanus by 83 per cent.

Yet an estimated 10 million children in India still miss out on full vaccinations every year[2]. Weak health systems, poverty and social inequities also mean that large number of children under five are still not reached with life-saving vaccines.

“The Government of India has demonstrated strong and effective leadership in mobilizing partners for collectively addressing maternal and child health. UNICEF is committed to working together with the Government of India and other development partners, to ensure that we close the immunity gaps in every state, in every district and in every community, so that all boys and girls are protected life-long from measles, rubella, and other vaccine preventable diseases,” said Louis-Georges Arsenault, UNICEF India Representative.

Inequalities persist between rich and poor children. In countries where 80 per cent of the world’s under-five child deaths occur, over half of the poorest children are not fully vaccinated. Globally, the poorest children are nearly twice as likely to die before the age of five as compared to the richest.

“All children, no matter where they live or what their circumstances have the right to survive and thrive, safe from deadly diseases,” said Dr. Robin Nandy, Chief of Immunization at UNICEF headquarters in New York, “Since 1990, immunization has been a major reason for the substantial drop in child mortality, but despite this progress, 1.5 million children still die from vaccine preventable diseases every year.”

“In addition to children living in rural communities where access to services is limited, more and more children living in overcrowded cities and slum dwellings are also missing out on vital vaccinations,” said Nandy. “Overcrowding, poverty, poor hygiene and sanitation as well as inadequate nutrition and health care increase the risk of diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and measles in these communities; diseases that are easily preventable with vaccines.”

By 2030, an estimated 1 in 4 people will live in urban poor communities, mainly in Africa and Asia, meaning the focus and investment of immunization services must be tailored to the specific needs of these communities and children, UNICEF said.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

UNICEF works with World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to support the Government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme to ensure that vaccines protect all children – especially those who are the hardest to reach and the most vulnerable.

New Delhi, 26 April 2017 – UNESCO New Delhi, UNIC New Delhi, and media partner The Statesman held the National Launch of the2017 United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR), “Wastewater: the Untapped Resource”at the UNESCO House, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi today from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The report was launched by Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Department of Water and Sanitation, Government of India. The event was moderated by Derk Segaar, Director, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan. Other speakers included Mr Jaco Cilliers, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Mr R.D. Singh, Director, National Institute of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee,; and Mr Mitrasen Bhikajee, Head of Science Sector, UNESCO New Delhi Cluster office. There was also a presentation of prizes to the winners of UNESCO New Delhi’s 2016 #Science4Sustainability Photo Competition. The launch ceremony was attended by over 100 people, including representatives from NGOs, diplomatic community, academicians, students and experts working in the field of water.

In his opening remarks, UNESCO New Delhi Director and UNESCO Representative, Shigeru Aoyagi said, “It is important not to forget that putting a stop to pollution at the source is just as important as developing ways to treat and utilize wastewater. If both problems are tackled, then we will be on the path to achieving the water-related SDGs.”

In his address, Shri Iyer while congratulating the UN family and particularly UNESCO on bringing out this comprehensive report on wastewater, said “Water is rapidly reaching crisis-like proportions not only in the world but also in India. Wastewater is traditionally viewed as a problem rather than opportunity. If we can be more efficient in the way we handle our water and wastewater systems, we can immediately reduce the quantity, the amount that needs to be recycled, but it can also make water systems more efficient.”

“Wastewater is often thought of as just waste. But in actuality, it often contains nutrients and other useful substances that can be repurposed,” noted Mr. Bhikajee. He went on, “The key is seeing the enormous potential that wastewater holds for reducing our water abstraction and minimizing pollution.”

The Report focuses on the ways in which improved wastewater management can generate social, environmental and economic benefits essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Published annually, this year’s WWDR seeks to inform decision-makers in government, civil society and the private sector about the importance of managing wastewater as an undervalued and sustainable source of water, energy, nutrients and other recoverable by-products, rather than something to be disposed of or a nuisance to be ignored. The report highlights the critical role that wastewater is poised to play in the context of a circular economy, whereby economic development is balanced with the protection of natural resources and environmental sustainability, and where a cleaner and more sustainable economy has a positive effect on water quality. It argues that once treated, wastewater could prove invaluable in meeting the growing demand for freshwater and other raw materials.

After launching the spectacular first look of India’s first Punjabi language superhero film, Super Singh, Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures and Pawan Gill’s Brat Films launched the second poster of the movie in the presence of the lead actor Diljit Dosanjh and Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan Singh.

The first poster of Super Singh launched across the national level has never happened for any Punjabi film ever before and considering the humongous response, the superhero film was trending on Twitter all India at No 3 on the day of the launch, followed by unveiling the second poster of the movie by Diljit and Canada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan Singh on the sets of the singing reality show, Rising Star.

The launch weekend of Super Singh saw Harjit Sajjan Singh – first Sardar to hold such a high honour outside India having a positive interaction with Super Singh Diljit Dosanjh on the sets of the singing reality show.

Harjit Singh gave his badge of honour that the government of Canada bestowed upon Diljit since he is proud of him and all that the actor is doing to inspire kids around the world. The Defence Minister also said it’s great that we achieve super heights in life but it’s even more important to give back to society because that makes us even more super.

On interacting with Diljit and launching the second poster of Super Singh, the minister wrote on his social networking site, “Had a unique opportunity to meet the famous and very humble @diljitdosanjh. Great discussion on his work to inspire the next generation. It was terrific to hear his message and how he shares the same vision for empowering the youth. I also got a chance to see his movie poster of his upcoming film, Super Singh.”

Applications are now open for the Food Sustainability Media Award, which aims increase the public’s awareness of food sustainability issues worldwide, find solutions, and encourage action. Launched by the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the award will recognize excellent professional and up-and-coming journalists from around the world who have focused their reporting on topics relating to food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition.

Entries to the Food Sustainability Media Award will be judged in three categories: written journalism, photography, and video. One published and one unpublished piece of work will be awarded in each category. Published work will receive a €10,000 (US$10,862) cash prize, while unpublished work will receive an all-expenses paid trip to attend a Thomson Reuters Foundation media training course on food sustainability. Unpublished entries will be distributed via the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the BCFN websites, and unpublished written work will also be distributed to the Reuters wire’s 1 billion readers.

Israel’s prime minister has cancelled talks with Germany’s foreign minister after he refused to call off a meeting with Israeli human rights activists. Sigmar Gabriel was due to meet Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Mr Netanyahu had warned he would not see Mr Gabriel if he met the groups Breaking the Silence and B’Tselem. Mr Netanyahu has accused the groups of trying to undermine the state, and the government has taken steps to try to stem their foreign sources of funding. The incident threatens to stoke diplomatic tensions between Israel and Germany, which are strong allies. Mr Gabriel had said it would be a remarkable event, to put it mildly if Mr Netanyahu went through with his threat.

This is the first visit to India of President Anastasiades, who had substantive meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2015, he said.

India can help Cyprus in its quest for reunification as it has close ties with Turkey, Anastasiades had said ahead of his maiden India visit.

The Cyprus president is being accompanied by the ministers of finance, energy, transport and agriculture on his visit.

President Anastasiades will address a business forum in Mumbai tomorrow. He will then travel to Delhi, address a business forum and deliver a talk at Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in the national capital.

On Friday morning, he will be given a ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan followed by wreath laying by him at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi, Raj Ghat.

His other engagements on that day include a meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee, who will host a banquet in his honour, and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi.

BJP is set to sweep the polls to Delhi’s three municipal corporations – North, East and South. Media persons are talking about their critical nature of diction on the working of saffron may their voice be stifled in time to come with such brute majority where opposition are getting decimated from state to state except few states. There is general complaint of media persons that smaller newspapers and online active writers and news trackers are not well entertained in Ministers press conference in name of security and PIB cardholders which may not be competent than specialized online broadcasters running the show on NGO basis.

The counting of votes for the polls, which were held on Sunday, is underway. BJP is on its way to get to two third majority whereas Congress is at face saving stature whereas AAP sinks deep in its half with nearly halves of its votes shares than it received in assembly polls. Congress the old guard is at lowest crescent due to its internal squabbles and faulty ticket distribution. Hybrid AAP which germinated on public echoing of ill fated governance on growing powerful lobby of congress with no attention to pulse of people. Combating mood of Arvind to be always critical of all opposition leaders and expressing him the clean politician. An affront in public domain to worthy PM Modi in un- warranted diction has costed his party very badly along with his non-performing attitude and Minsters with not performing assets were the party’s liability from its inception.

Reacting to poll results, senior BJP leader and Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said, the result is a message for AAP to give up negative politics and work for constructive politics. He rejected AAP allegations of EVMs tempering terming them as wild and baseless. Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, people have reposed faith in BJP’s policies and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, Delhiites want BJP at the helm of affairs in Delhi and its the beginning of end of AAP in the city. Delhi BJP Unit Chief also lauded Mr. Modi’s and Party Chief Amit Shah’s leadership and policies for the victory. He said the party dedicates the win to CRPF jawans who lost their lives in Sukma naxal attack.

AAP has blamed Electronic Voting Machines for the debacle of his party. Party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, EVM tampering is a bitter truth and his party will continue to speak about it without caring the opponent will mock. Another party leader Gopal Rai said, this is not Narendra Modi wave but EVM’s wave. Party leader Ashutosh dismissed the suggestions of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation over the party’s defeat. AAP MLA Alka Lamba has offered to resign from the assembly on party’s poor show.

Delhi Congress Chief Ajay Maken has also offered to resign from his position owning responsibility for party’s poor performance. He said, he had hoped for better show in the civic polls. Mr Maken also said, the party has performed better as compared to 2014 Lok Sabha polls and 2015 Delhi assembly polls. Congress leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the party should have campaigned more aggressively in favour of their candidates. AIR correspondent reports that the Delhi unit of BJP has decided not to celebrate the victory in the wake of Sukma attack in which 25 CRPF personnel were martyred recently.

The Indian Coast Guard Region(NE) added more teeth to their fleet in West Bengal today with the commissioning of a high speed interceptor boat C 424 at Haldia.

The ship was commissioned by Inspector General KR Nautiyal, the Coast Guard Commander North East at an impressive ceremony at Coast Guard Jetty in Haldia.

With this new addition, Coast Guard assets in West Bengal now include 02 fast Patrol Vessels, 04 Hovercrafts, 02 Interceptor Boats, Radar Station and ACV forward operating base at Frazerganj.

IG KR Nautiyal said “The ship will add more strength to the Coast Guard’s fleet in West Bengal and will patrol the vital bay of Bengal”

The Ship is commanded by Deputy Commandant Mudit Kumar singh. The 27 meters long ship has been built at L&T Surat and achieves 45 knots of speed. The ship is equipped with latest navigational and communication equipment and has a 12.7mm Heavy machine gun as main armament. The ship is also fitted with night vision and infrared devices for day and night surveillance.

The ship will enhance the surveillance and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief operations in Bay of Bengal. The Indian Coast Guard has been constantly increasing its footprint in West Bengal and Odhisa in the last 4 years, An array of ships and aircrafts has been inducted to keep the Bengal and Odisha coast safe.

The western world view has dominated for the last 200 or so years and hence their idea of “modern man’ is accepted as the “idea”. It is supposed to transcend territories and cultures.

It assumes that “one size” fits all and enunciates “one model” works for all. In many seminars I am asked by foreigners about India becoming “Europe” or USA after a few decades and how it will impact Indian “values”.

Basically it is assumed that the whole world needs to have or follow one model since all humans are same “rational “animals. The main Abrahamic faiths like Christianity and Islam evolved out of this belief. So they went around conquering the world to fashion it in their own mirror image. The Marxian model also believes the same.

The concept of sovereignty evolved as Westphalian consensus in 1548 after the thirty Years’ War, in which the major continental European states – the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, France, Sweden and the Dutch Republic – agreed to respect one another’s territorial integrity. This obviously did not include later colonies. Christianity and Islam wanted to spread all over the world by sword or colonies or deceit. Both wanted to be global religions.

Hence there was a fierce battle between these globalisers for “converting” people to their way. There is the idea of my way or Highway. The colonization project was justified since it was to “civilize” the world and converting faith/religion of people was encouraged in the name of “freedom to choose”. Of course that freedom should be exercised to choose the desert faiths. Some times with swords sometimes with subterfuge and inducement.

From the Church evolved the modern corporations which in the Post 2nd world war wanted to be “global” and institutions like IMF and World Bank were created to facilitate the process. These institutions reinforced the theory of one size fits all.

Modern Globalization project got accelerated in the seventies by multinational corporations tried to formulate theories which are applicable to all societies with perhaps some local variation– as a concession.

Ernst Kantorowicz, in his well-argued and celebrated essay The King’s Two Bodies: A study in Medieval Political Theology, analyses how the mystical body of Christ, which is central to Christian liturgy, acquired sociological meaning in the later middle Ages. The corpus mysticum became the organized body of Christian society and created, in due course, the greatest of artificial persons, namely, “the state.” Out of this modular structure or building block, Western capitalism emerged, along with other fictional entities such as the `Joint Stock Company’ and `public corporation’ (Princeton, 1957).

Hence, it is a medieval Christian Anglo-Saxon construct that says that `corporations’ are more evolved forms than, say, joint families or cooperatives or trusts. One is not sure why India should continue to accept this European medieval evolution, which was essential for colonial conquests, driven by joint stock companies such as the East India Company, which considered India `unorganized’ and went about organizing it, with results known to us. So Church handed over idea of “globalization” to corporate.

In these days of political correctness, perhaps the so-called unorganized sector can be termed “corporate challenged”, while corporates themselves are “disclosure-” and “transparency-challenged”.

They even propounded an idea of “glocal”. This is mainly global models but will try to take into account local sensibilities. Whether it is market efficiency or asset valuation every human being in the world should behave as per western models. If not there is a problem with that person or group. They were to be identified as “deviation” from norm.

The entire edifice of modern economics/Finance assumes market to solve all problems since all men are” rational”—in the western sense- and profit maximizers. They have homogenous expectations etc. The poor segments when they become rich behave exactly similar to the current rich people. That assumption helps in “forecasting” income and consumption growth.

Societies were expected to behave as per model rather than modelling societal behaviour.

Wounded civilizations like India suffered a double whammy. Its youngsters were taught about the superiority of the Renaissance rationality and they began to fully imitate the homogenous model. Most got educated in Western Universities and this helped a lot for the globalisers.

Hence we have Christian globalisers/Islamic globalisers/Multinational corporate/Marxists. All using the premise of a global man and one size fits all. All of them can be called homogenizers. Among them Marxists are on the retreat after the fall of Berlin Wall.

But there is a problem. All these Homogenizers are run by a clique or elites who look down upon masses with contempt. Why so? Because they are confident that they have the solutions available in their books or models. The modern corporations have modelled academic institutions to suit their requirements. Recruitment /promotion etc. are dependent on reinforcing the belief system through research and training.

Within this so called left wing and right wing have evolved. Both are homogenizers. One is state based and other is big corporate or so called “market “based.

But of late left wing has got twisted due to being politically right—it became friendly to Radical Islam and also to other “modernities” like LGBTQ groups. Interestingly soviet model of Stalin shunned these categories.

The Globalisers also created categories like economically “conservatives” but socially “liberal “or socially conservative but economically Liberal –but all within their framework of homogenizing. Also the Christian leaders would accept “Islamic Contribution” and nothing more than that.For instance Obama claimed in Cairo (June, 2009) that algebra, the decimal system and printing technology were the inventions of the land of sands[Arabia] when these accomplishments owe as much to India and China.

Assertion of the Average: But the Globalisers are on retreat. One is the conflict or rather war waged by Radical Islam which would like to establish a Caliphate in Europe. Church is in retreat in Europe since many are becoming agnostic. Modern versions of Church getting active-in the form of Evangelicals like Pentecostal etc. Post economic crisis of 2008 the big corporates are on the retreat. The average school educated person is unhappy and angry. He is unhappy about unemployment which is running high in G-7 countries—more so in Europe. He is angry about mass migration and what he perceives as Islamic invasion of Europe and even USA.EU which is one of the earliest “Project Europe” to bring together “globalization” within Europe is under threat. The rural/school only educated /unwashed in Britain rejected the rule from Brussels. The Sophisticated elite of London wanted to be in EU. In France and Italy similar situation is developing. In the USA the assertion of average was extra-ordinary. All elites and financial system supported Hillary but she was defeated by again school only educated /poor segments.

Globalization crowd is desperate. Davos meet this year had of all persons Chinese President Xi and he was requested to “lead” globalization. One can imagine the level of desperation of the Davos crowd.

Homogenization/one size fits all and Western model is THE model– is the major mantras of globalisers. Radical Islam says the same thing except using its own book.

Tony Blair the then Prime Minister of UK in his famous Chicago Address -1999-suggests:

“The most pressing foreign policy problem we face is to identify the circumstances in which we should get actively involved in other people’s conflicts. Non -interference has long been considered an important principle of international order…. “But the principle of non-interference must be qualified in important respects”. The NATO intervention in Kosovo and Afghanistan as well as US intervention in Iraq provide recent examples of breakdown of idea of Westphalia.

Interestingly Radical Islam also considers that the world order based on Westphalian consensus will collapse. “In the aftermath of the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks, Lewis ‘Atiyyatullah, who claims to represent the terrorist network Al-Qaeda, declared that “the international system built up by the West since the Treaty of Westphalia will collapse; and a new international system will rise under the leadership of a mighty Islamic state.”

The spread of ISIS across countries and activities of Boko Haram based in Nigeria in Kenya and Chad re-emphasis this point. Radical Islam does not accept territorial boundaries since it works for a global regime for global Ummah. The talk about Caliphate indicates that they are trans-border organizations.

On the other side we find global corporations transcending sovereignty in search of global profits. For this they use tax havens as a tool. Tax havens–numbering more than 70 jurisdictions–facilitate bank facilities with zero taxes and no-disclosure of the names and in many cases anonymous trusts holding accounts on behalf of beneficiary. In the case of Bahamas one building seems to have had tens of thousands of companies registered there.

USA is literally waging war with major Giants like Amazon/Google/Microsoft etc. for not paying adequate taxes in USA in spite of being US based companies. Most of these companies have moved their profits to other Tax Havens.

A simple method of trade mis-invoicing by global companies using tax-havens have impacted developing countries nearly 730Billion USD in 2012 says Global Financial integrity. There is an increasing clamour in USA and EU about closing down these tax havens.

Fortune 500 companies currently hold more than $2.1 trillion in accumulated profits offshore for tax purposes. Just thirty Fortune 500 companies account for 65 percent of these offshore profits. These thirty companies with the most money offshore have booked $1.4 trillion overseas for tax purposes. Only fifty-seven Fortune 500 companies disclose what they would expect to pay in U.S. taxes if these profits were not officially booked offshore. In total, these fifty-seven companies would owe $184.4 billion in additional federal taxes. Based on these fifty-seven corporations’ public disclosures, the average tax rate that they have collectively paid to foreign countries on these profits is a mere 6 percent, indicating that a large portion of this offshore money has been booked in tax havens. If we apply that average tax rate of 6 percent to the entirety of Fortune 500 companies, they would collectively owe $620 billion in additional federal taxes. Some of the worst offenders include: Apple/Nike/American Express/ PepsiCo / Pfizer/Morgan Stanley/Citi Group/Wall Mart/Bank of America /Google/ Microsoft/ Goldman Sachs etc.

So Globalisation is stuck between Tax havens and Terrorists.

The middle class in UK revolted against EU –seamless borders and trade and in US the victory of Trump is a big blow to Globalisers. He is unenthusiastic about Davos. The rise of Le Pen in France and Geert Wilders in Holland represent back to national sovereignty. Le Pen recently said in Koblenz “nation state” is back.

In this, the traditional division of Left and right has lost its meaning. In BREXIT we saw left supporting EU and part of right opposing it. Now, the new divisions are Globalisers versus Nation states both from left and right.

There was an agitation by supporters of Gorbyn the rabid left wing leader of Labour party in UK against the most venerable left wing intellectualism personified “New Statesman”

Actually this extreme left-winger Corbyn opposed BREXIT and wanted Britain to be in EU.

While as the conservatives in large numbers supported BREXIT and from that point the calling of referendum by Cameron was even questioned. Corbyn was supposed to be part of “Remain and Reform” EU group. Anyhow Britain and labour force of Britain overwhelmingly voted for going out of EU which is perceived as a “Globalizing menace”

Le Pen in France wants to come out of EU since it is impacting “French” characteristics. She is considered “extreme” right by the main stream media in France. She wants France to come out of EU; opposed to Radical Islam; opposed to immigrants and against large French Govt. Interestingly one of her opponent Melonchon who is considered as left extreme also wants to re-negotiate EU and possibly pull out. He is also against large central French Govt. and surprisingly not for the “veil” for the women!! Both Extreme right and Left are against large global corporations and Globalization by the Davos crowd.

In the USA the divisions are becoming interesting with large number of Trump supporters viewing Russia favourably while as Democrats are upset with Russia. Trump supporters view Russia as a good ally against radical Islam. Not that Russia is any more “socialist”. Trump is as unhappy as Obama was about large US companies like Google/Amazon/Microsoft etc. not paying adequate taxes in the USA but showing large profits in Tax havens like Cayman Islands.

Large portions of left in Europe are split regarding its attitude to Radical Islam. One segment arguing for total “understanding” of Islam while another segment wanting to uphold traditional values of Europe on women issues, on Homo-sexuality and contraception.

This single model groups are being opposed by smaller “national and Community” sovereignty groups. For instance in Britain poorer rural segments /less educated segments and working class segments voted for BREXIT since all of them felt big Government at Brussels is trampling on their sovereignty. Similarly School educated /older aged/less income segments supported Trump. Both cases it is against “globalization” and “large corporate”.

Similarly one witnesses raise of such political forces in Holland/France/ Italy and Germany. All these will have far reaching impact in the coming year due to elections in France and Germany.

Hence today the world is divided between Globalisers –be it corporate or Radical Islam or evangelists and “localisers” both right wing and Left wing. Globalisiers wants homogeneity –all wear Jeans and all drink Coke or all women have Burqa and all men pray 5 times. Localisers want variety and pluralism. Respect for local tradition and customs and recognition of small businesses.

The current conflict is between Globaliser wing [GW] and Localiser Wing [LW]

You are cordially invited for a Press Conference by Punjab & Haryana Election Watch (P&H EW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) to release two reports, ‘Analysis of Election Expenditure Statements of MLAs Punjab Assembly Elections, 2017‘ and ‘Analysis of Sources of Funding of Major Political Parties of PunjabFY 2004-05 to 2014-15 (11 years) . We will also announce the13th Annual National Conference of ADR on Electoral and Political Reforms.

Details of the Press Conference:

Topics:

Release of a report on ‘Analysis of Election Expenditure Statements of MLAs Punjab Assembly Elections, 2017‘.

Release of a report on ‘Analysis of Sources of Funding of Major Political Parties of PunjabFY 2004-05 to 2014-15 (11 years)

Announcement of13th Annual National Conference of ADR on Electoral and Political Reforms being held on 29th & 30th April.

Venue: Press Club, Chandigarh

Date: 28th April, 2017​, Friday

Time: 3 PM

Details of the National Conference: Punjab & Haryana Election Watch and ADR are organizing the ‘13th Annual National Conference on Electoral and Political Reforms’on 29th and 30th April, 2017 at the Panjab University, Chandigarh. The Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. Nasim Zaidi, has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest and give the key note address on 29th April, 2017. Representatives of the National Election Watch from each state chapter, members of political parties, government institutions and academicians will be present to deliberate on issues related to electoral and political reform in the country. We look forward to your participation and inputs in making the conference a success.

The Undersigned as the “Jury Convenor” along with “Chairman, Co-Chairmen, Patron-in-Chief & Eminent Members of the Jury”,desire and wish that “Your Goodself” shower us with your “Valued & Gracious Presence” as the “Special Invitee” and Felicitate the Winners of the Prestigious “3rd IPSE Awards 2017 – India’s Public Sector Enterprises Awards for Excellence” and concurrent “PSE Conclave 2017”. IPSEAwards cover PSE excellence in various Sectors at both Center & States as well as Individual PSE Leadership Excellenceincluding PSE Persona’s Awards.

New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), has Partnered with “ENERTIA Foundation” as ‘Knowledge & Research Partner’ for this Year’s“3rd IPSE Awards 2017”.

“3rd IPSE Awards 2017” will also have Eminent Film maker, “Aubrey Aloysius”joining us on the Dias, who is making an exclusive Global Film-cum-Documentaryon “Life & Times” of “Shri. LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI”, Former Prime Minister of India, and his relevance as a “Role-Model” for the Youth of a “New & Self Reliant India”.

Gandhi came to Bihar only after continuous persuasion by Indigo cultivator Raj Kumar Shukla and Brij Kishor Prasad, but later immersed himself completely in the struggle of Indigo cultivators. Champaran is considered one of the watershed moments in India’s struggle for independence but has been largely understood in the context of its end result.It is equally important to ponder upon the strategy, that Gandhi followed and role of co-workers such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Raj Kumar Shukla, Brij Kishor Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad and many others. From a narrow perspective it could be said that Gandhi’s strategy comprised only serving people but from a broader viewpoint, it could be seen that Gandhi’s vision was to develop a nationwide strategy that led him to understand the social conflict which highlighted the internal asymmetry within society and how it eventually weakened the struggle against colonial rule.

The personnel struggle of liberation and regeneration of one’s own truth to reach a vantage point is of great substance in all the causes he served. But what remains to be crucial in understanding Gandhi is the missing links in locating his journey of becoming Mahatma as the world knows him. Historical presence of Gandhi in various locations and his contribution are recognized only in limited understanding. To this the Nehru Memorial Museum Library is looking forward to connect the missing links and use the occasion of Centenary Celebration of Champaran Satyagraha to organize a National Conference titled ‘Champaran 1917: Context and Impact’ on 27-28th April, 2017.

The conference majorly looks forward to emphasize upon the procedural aspects of Champran agitation. The procedural understanding would be considerably helpful in understanding the trajectory of social and political movements in India. It is also important to highlight that Champaran hold its value of being one of the first movement that led to national level fermentation of struggle against colonization. By delving into Champaran’s context we will go through the procedures which will bring new insights to help us in grappling with persisting challenges in India.